Blockchain system for optimizing processes

ABSTRACT

A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing, in a blockchain system, at least one generic finite blockchain comprising representative blocks, each corresponding to at least one step in a multi-step process; dynamically generating at least one finite blockchain instance based on said at least one generic finite blockchain; receiving, by a processor, change evidence data pertaining to at least one step in said multi-step process; and performing an update operation comprising updating the at least one finite blockchain instance based on said change evidence data.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to blockchain technology.

BACKGROUND

A blockchain may be used to operate a distributed or decentralized digital ledger in which the records, called blocks, are linked using cryptography. Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data.

A blockchain is “secure” because each block is encrypted and because once recorded in the ledger, transactions cannot be edited or deleted. A blockchain is “decentralized” because the data is spread across hundreds or thousands of nodes that are part of the network.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a blockchain-based system representing an idealized process in a finite generic blockchain wherein each block represents a step in said idealized process. The finite generic blockchain may be used to spawn finite blockchain instances. Each instance of the finite generic blockchain may be used to track completion of an actual process corresponding to a real-world process correlated with the idealized process in the finite generic blockchain.

Advantageously, completion of steps in the real-world process may be written into a finite blockchain instance, as a change evidence record.

Thus, at every stage in the execution of a real-world process, unalterable data is added to the blockchain indicating whether said stage has been completed

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a representative real-world process which can be advantageously managed, in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a generic finite blockchain as well as finite block blockchain instances based on said generic finite blockchain, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates how a family of blockchains may be created based on a single blockchain, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates how a counter may be used to issue ticks to create a finite blockchain, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a state transition blockchain generated in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate examples of finite blockchains in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a process to add a new state transition block to a finite blockchain, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the creation of an instance blockchain from a generic finite blockchain, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates how alignment blocks may be used to align equivalent blocks occurring in one or more finite blockchain instances, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a network environment, for practicing embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates the creation of blocks including state changes (change evidence data), in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 12-13 shows a flow diagram to record the change evidence data in an instance of a finite blockchain, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a high-level block diagram of the hardware that may be used to practice aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and/or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present invention. Similarly, although many of the features of the present invention are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the invention is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the invention.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention disclose a blockchain system for recording, in an unalterable manner, change evidence relating to particular steps in a real-world process. For example, in one embodiment, such change evidence may comprise information indicating that a particular step in the real-world process has been completed.

Advantageously, a real-world process may be modeled as an idealized process and stored in a blockchain as a generic finite blockchain. For purposes of tracking actual instances of processes corresponding to said idealized process, instances of said generic finite blockchain may be created to record change evidence information pertaining to said actual instances, as will be described.

The invention is to be construed broadly to include all manner of processes including, but not limited to chemical processes, approval processes, management processes, manufacturing processes, etc.

For purposes of illustrating aspects of the invention, a business process will be described. Said business process may comprise a plurality of discrete steps which are to be performed in a serial manner. For example, consider the representative business process 100 shown in FIG. 1 which outlines a sequence of steps required to manufacture a new product. As will be seen, the sequence 100 includes a design step 102, a sample manufacture step 104, a volume run step 106, and a factory build/outsource step 108. In step 102, a design is conceived for the product such as a new mobile phone, a new car, etc. In step 104, a sample manufacture or prototype is constructed based on the design. In step 106 a test volume of the product is manufactured in order to measure yield. For example, the step 106 may be applicable in the case of the manufacture of semiconductor chips, where it is important to optimize a design to improve chip yields. Lastly, in step 108, a decision is made as to whether to build a factory to manufacture the product, or to outsource its manufacture to a third party.

FIG. 2 of the drawings shows a family of finite blockchains 200 used to track a business process through to completion, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 202 indicates a generic finite blockchain (FBCg) comprising a sequence of blocks 204 to 212. The blocks 204-212 may each represent either a “Means” block or an “Ends” block. For example, blocks 204 and 208 represent Means blocks, whereas the blocks 206, 210, and 212 represents Ends blocks. An Ends block in a FBCg is a required block whereas, a Means block is an intermediate block that is optional in the FBCg and does not belong to a set of Ends blocks associated with the FBCg. The Means and Ends blocks within a FBCg may be indicated as FBCg (FBCg.{Means}, FBCg.{Ends}). Thus, a generic blockchain may be represented as set comprising Means blocks and Ends blocks.

In one embodiment, the family of finite blockchains may be used to track the evolution of a system (business process) through a series of changes that are measured as a function of time such that at time T0, the genesis or the initial state of the system is recorded. This initial state may itself be considered a change. Every subsequent change transitions the system from its previous state to a following state. In one embodiment, every change is recorded as a block, which will be referred to herein as a “state transition block (STB)”. In one embodiment, each block that is added to capture changes subsequent to the creation of the initial block, is linked to a previous block. Thus, the blocks representing state transitions are linked, hence the name “State Transition Blockchain”. Referring to FIG. 2, each of the blocks 204 to 212 represents a State Transition Block. In general terms, a system S may be described as a sequence of state transitions as follows: S={STB0+STB1+STB2+ . . . +STBn}. This is illustrated in FIG. 4, where a system 400 is shown to comprises a sequence of state transitions: STB1 to STBn.

In one embodiment, a STB may be authorized prior to its creation. Authorization may comprise requesting and receiving a tick from a Counter. In one embodiment, a Counter (C) generates a tick ‘t’ using the function gettick( ). In one embodiment, the Counter ‘C’, generates tick ti+1>tick ti, where ti+1 was requested at a Time T(ti+1)>Time T(ti), when, tick ti was requested. A tick is a unit such that there exists a function to compare ti+1 and ti.

In many instances, a step in a process may require a certain effort for its completion. Said effort may be measured in terms of money, raw material, and/or other resources. Thus, in one embodiment an effort E indicates the resources required for the realization or completion of a particular step in a process. This effort E may be assigned as a requirement for the creation of a particular STB that is required to represent the particular step, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

In one embodiment, each STB representing a step in a process has associated with it, a set of minimum requirements for its creation. In some cases, an effort, and a tick define the minimum requirements.

Each blockchain may be bounded by two ticks, hence the term “finite blockchain”. A finite blockchain may be represented as FBC (t1, tn) where t1 represents the first tick and tn represents the last tick in the chain. Alternatively, finite blockchain FBC (t1) indicates a tick t1 of a finite blockchain that contains a single STB.

In one embodiment, the generic finite blockchain 202 may be used to spawn multiple instances of blockchains. Referring to FIG. 2A of the reference numerals 214, 230, and 240 indicate instances within a family of finite blockchains 200. Each instance blockchain may be instantiated in order to track an instance of the process defined in the generic blockchain 202 through to completion.

Within each blockchain, the ticks associated with each of the STBs are referenced to a primary or base counter that is unique to the blockchain. FIG. 3 of the drawings illustrates the relationship between ticks and a base counter. Referring to FIG. 3, reference numeral 300 generally indicates a counter C which is used to assign ticks to blocks being created within a blockchain. As will be seen, the ticks t1, t2, . . . tn are issued in order of increasing time.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, reference numeral 400 generally indicates a blockchain with STBs based on ticks t1, t2, . . . tn are issued issued by the counter C of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing an FBC 500 created based on ticks t3 to t9 issued by the counter C. It is possible that an FBC may comprise a single block as in the case of the block 60 issued based on a tick t5 by the counter C as can be seen in in FIG. 6.

Thus far, a generic block chain and various instances of said generic block chain that together define a family have been described as being created as separate block chains. However, in accordance with the other embodiments, this need not be the case as it is possible to create a family of block chains from a single block chain as is illustrated in FIG. 2B of the drawings. Referring to FIG. 2B, a generic finite block chain 250 and its instances (here only a single instance 252 shown) are implemented on the block chain 260. Thus, an entire block chain family may be created on a single block chain.

FIG. 7 illustrates a process for the creation of a new STB, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 7, reference numeral 700 indicates a counter C associated with a particular blockchain. Reference numeral 702 indicates STB5 which was created based on a tick t5 requested from the counter 700. The drawing illustrates that in order to create a new block STB21 indicated by reference numeral 704, at a time given by tick t20, a certain effort E is required.

Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, there is shown a schematic representation of an instance 802, of a finite blockchain created based on a generic finite blockchain 800, in accordance with the techniques disclosed herein.

Blocks from different block chains corresponding to or representing the same step in a process are referred to as being equivalent blocks. For purposes of determining equivalence between blocks across multiple chains, the actual time of a tick associated with a particular block is not important. Instead, to determine equivalence it is necessary to identify the blocks with the same relative tick position within the set of ticks associated with each blockchain instance. The ticks associated with a particular blockchain may define an ordered set, in one embodiment. In one embodiment, a base counter shifting operation is provided in order to provide a basis to determine equivalence between state transition blocks (a concept that will be described more fully below) occurring across multiple blockchain instances. In other words, for a given counter C1 associated with a particular finite blockchain FBC the state transitions referencing said counter C1 may be expressed as FBC (Counter=C1)=(STB0(C1.t0)+STB1(C1.t1)+ . . . +STBn (C1.tn)) where FBC.C represents the counter and FBC.C.t represents a tick. Thus, base counter shifting facilitates a transformation FBC (counter=C1)→FBC (counter=C2).

It will be appreciated that through base counter shifting, equivalent state transition blocks across multiple blockchain instances may be identified. For example, the statement FBC1.C.t1=FBC2.C.t2=FBCn.C.tn . . . may be used to map equivalent blocks across blockchain instances. In one embodiment, such a statement may define a tick alignment record, which specifies the blocks across multiple blockchains that are equivalent and are thus considered to be “aligned”.

In one embodiment, an “Alignment block” may be used to record the alignment of one or more blocks STB1, STB2 etc. where STB1, STB2 are respective members of the chains FBC1, FBC2 . . . . The Alignment blocks may be created with authorization from the state transition counter with a tick t and an associated time T. In one embodiment Alignment blocks may be associated with each the participating instance blockchains FBC1, FBC2 . . . . In one embodiment, each Alignment block (STBalg) may include a tick alignment record. An alignment record may be represented as: STBalg=(FBC1(counter=C1).STB1, FBC2(counter=C2).STB2 . . . . )

In one embodiment, an alignment function may be used to uncover a functional equivalence between blocks across multiple instances of blockchains which may be represented by a function F (FBC1.STB1, FBC2.STB2 . . . ), that aligns FBC1.STBi and FBC2.STBj . . . given validating parameters. i.e. in other words F (FBC1.STBi, FBC2.STBj, . . . , STBi.{parameters}, STBj.{parameters})={FBC1.STBalg1, FBC2.STBalg2}.

In one embodiment, a state transition aspirational block may be defined as an aspired to or expected transition in a process. Thus, a generic FBC may be defined as a blockchain with chain of aspirational blocks {STBa}.

An instance FBCi may be regarded as a base counter shifted FBCg.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the blockchain instance 214 includes blocks 216 to 228. The blocks 216 to 228 have been fully executed and are thus labeled as STBe1, STBe2, etc. The blocks 216 and 218 are aligned with the block 204 in the generic blockchain 202, the block 220 is aligned with the block 206, the blocks 224 and 226 are aligned with the block 208, the block 222 is aligned with the block 210, and the block 228 is aligned with the block 212. Thus, it will be seen that each block in the generic FBC 202 is aligned with equivalent blocks in the instance 214. Since all blocks in the generic FBC 202 have been completed in the instance 214, and the blocks between the chains 202 and 214 are aligned, the blockchain 214 may be described as a completely aligned executed instance of the generic FBC 202. It should be noted that the block 204 in the generic blockchain 202 is a means block and is aligned with two blocks (blocks 216 and 218) in the instance blockchain 214. Likewise, the block 208 in the generic blockchain 202 is a means block and is aligned with two blocks (the blocks 224, 226) in the instance blockchain 214.

By way of further example, reference numeral 230 indicates another example of a completely aligned executed instance comprising executed blocks to 232 to 240. For purposes of alignment (equivalence), the block 232 is aligned with or equivalent to the block 204, the block 234 is aligned with the block 206, the block 236 is aligned with the block 208, the block 238 is aligned with the block 210, and the block 240 is aligned with the block 212.

FIG. 2 also shows a blockchain 240 which represents an active instance of the generic blockchain 202 which is similar to aligned instances 214 and 230 except that the blockchain 240 also includes a block 244 which represents a state transition promised block (STBp). A promised block is an Ends block that exists in a generic blockchain, but not in an active instance. An active instance may be represented in terms of a promised blocks as FBCia={STBe}+{STBp}.

A completely aligned instance (FBCiae) is an instance where {STBp} is a null set, as there exists {STBe} blocks for all STBg.{Ends}, and there exists Alignment blocks {STBalg} for all blocks in {STBe}.

In one embodiment, alignment records may be used to align equivalent blocks from two finite instance blockchains that were created based on the same generic finite blockchain. This is illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings which shows an instance FBC 900 comprising an alignment block 902 that indicates that the block 904 is equivalent to the block 912 occurring in instance 910. As will be seen, the instance 910 also includes an alignment block 914 to indicate that the block 912 in instance 910 is equivalent to the block 904 in the instance 900. It will be appreciated that an alignment block may be constructed for each of the blocks in the instances 900 and 910 to indicate the equivalence between each of the blocks in said instances.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram illustrating one example of an operating environment blockchain system 1000 according to one example of the present invention.

The operating environment of FIG. 10 may be a cloud computing environment or a non-cloud computing environment, in accordance with various embodiments. In a cloud computing environment, various embodiments of the present invention discussed below are provided as a service. FIG. 10 illustrates one or more networks 1002 that, in one example, can include wide area networks, local area networks, wireless networks, and/or the like. The environment 1000 includes a plurality of information processing systems 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010 that are communicatively coupled to the network(s) 1002. The information processing systems 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010 include one or more servers 1004 and one or more user systems 1006, 1008, 1010. The user systems 1006, 1008, 1010 can include, for example, information processing systems such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet-based computers, wireless devices such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and the like.

FIG. 10 further illustrates as part of the server system 1004, a blockchain system 1018 communicating with one or more databases 1012, 1014, 1016 using a blockchain protocol and communicatively coupled to the network 1002.

In accordance with one embodiment, the finite blockchains described may be stored in the databases 1012-1016. The information processing systems 1006, 1008, 1010 may represent computing devices within an organization that produce change evidence data that evidences that a particular process step mapped to a finite generic blockchain in the blockchain system 1018 has been completed. In one embodiment, the information processing systems 1006, 1008, 1010 may be configured to the report the change evidence data to the blockchain system 1018.

In accordance with the various embodiments, the change evidence data may include verifiable data that a particular process step has been successfully completed or executed. Examples of change evidence data may include completion of a particular step in a drug approval process, approval of an order for raw materials needed in a manufacturing process, confirmation of shipment of units manufactured, etc.

In one embodiment, to create state transition blocks based on the change evidence data, the blockchain system 1018 may create two kinds of records: transactions and blocks. Transactions are the actual data stored in the blockchain. In one example, the data in each block represents a single transaction. In another example, data in each block represents more than one transaction that is dividable into sections within each block. In one embodiment, the transactions may be created by users or participants using the information processing systems 1006, 1008, 1010.

The blocks are recorded that confirm when and in what sequence certain transaction become journaled at back of the blockchain database.

FIG. 11 is a functional diagram for a blockchain 1100 illustrating details of each block, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Shown are record blocks 1102 and 1172 and transactions 1110. The transactions 1110 are actual data stored in the blockchain 1100. The blocks 1110 are records of transactions. In this example transactions 1110 are all associated with block 1172. For e.g. transaction 1112 is stored inside block 1172 as 1176.

Record blocks 1110 represent a series of transactions 1112 through 1122 as shown for transactions 1 through transaction N, respectively. Each transaction 1110 typically includes a transaction ID 1114, sending address 1116, and state change information 1118.

A hash function 1190 and 1192 is shown as part of the record blocks 1150. In one implementation of a blockchain the previous hash function is input to a subsequent hash function 1192, along with the transaction block 1172 as shown. This ensures that there has been no tampering or alteration of the data in the record blockchain.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the techniques and systems disclosed herein may be used to practice the method illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 12, at block 1200, the blockchain system 1018 stores at least one finite generic blockchain comprising the percentage of blocks, each corresponding to a step in a multi-step process. At block 1202, the system dynamically generates at least one finite blockchain instance based on said at least one generic finite blockchain. At block 1204, the system receives change evidence data pertaining to at least one step in the multistep process. This change evidence data may be received from other nodes configured in the network. Finally, at block 1206, the system performs and update operation to update the finite blockchain instance based on the change evidence data.

Referring now to FIG. 13 of the drawings, there is shown a flowchart of operations performed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Referring to the drawing, at block 1300, a generic blockchain generated to represent an idealized process which is generally based on a real-world process. At block 1302, an instance of a finite blockchain is created based on the generic blockchain. At block 1304, change evidence information is received from one or more nodes in a network. At block 1306, changes based on the change evidence information is recorded into the instance of the blockchain.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating exemplary hardware for executing some of the techniques disclosed herein, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In certain aspects, the computer system 1400 may be implemented using hardware or a combination of software and hardware, either in a dedicated server or integrated into another entity or distributed across multiple entities.

Computer system 1400 (e.g., client or server) includes a bus 1408 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 1402 coupled with bus 1416 for processing information. According to one aspect, the computer system 1400 is implemented as one or more special-purpose computing devices. The special-purpose computing device may be hard-wired to perform the disclosed techniques, or may include digital electronic devices such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that are persistently programmed to perform the techniques, or may include one or more general purpose hardware processors programmed to perform the techniques pursuant to program instructions in firmware, memory, other storage, or a combination. Such special-purpose computing devices may also combine custom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with custom programming to accomplish the techniques. The special-purpose computing devices may be desktop computer systems, portable computer systems, handheld devices, networking devices or any other device that incorporates hard-wired and/or program logic to implement the techniques. By way of example, the computer system 1400 may be implemented with one or more processors 1402. Processor 1402 may be a general-purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an ASIC, a FPGA, a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a controller, a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware components, or any other suitable entity that can perform calculations or other manipulations of information.

Computer system 1400 can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them stored in an included memory 1404 (e.g., memory 220 and 230), such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), a flash memory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or any other suitable storage device, coupled to bus 1416 for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor 1402. The processor 1402 and the memory 1404 can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry. Expansion memory may also be provided and connected to computer system 1400 through input/output module 1408, which may include, for example, a SIMM (Single in Line Memory Module) card interface. Such expansion memory may provide extra storage space for computer system 1400 or may also store applications or other information for computer system 1400. Specifically, expansion memory may include instructions to carry out or supplement the processes described above and may include secure information also. Thus, for example, expansion memory may be provided as a security module for computer system 1400 and may be programmed with instructions that permit secure use of computer system 1400. In addition, secure applications may be provided via the SIMM cards, along with additional information, such as placing identifying information on the SIMM card in a nor-hackable manner.

The instructions may be stored in the memory 1404 and implemented in one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, the computer system 1400, and according to any method well known to those of skill in the art, including, but not limited to, computer languages such as data-oriented languages (e.g., SQL, dBase), system languages (e.g., C, Objective-C, C++, Assembly), architectural languages (e.g., Java, .NET), and application languages (e.g., PHP, Ruby, Perl, Python). Instructions may also be implemented in computer languages such as array languages, aspect-oriented languages, assembly languages, authoring languages, command line interface languages, compiled languages, concurrent languages, curly-bracket languages, dataflow languages, data-structured languages, declarative languages, esoteric languages, extension languages, fourth-generation languages, functional languages, interactive mode languages, interpreted languages, iterative languages, list-based languages, little languages, logic-based languages, machine languages, macro languages, metaprogramming languages, multiparadigm languages, numerical analysis, non-English-based languages, object-oriented class-based languages, object-oriented prototype-based languages, off-side rule languages, procedural languages, reflective languages, rule-based languages, scripting languages, stack-based languages, synchronous languages, syntax handling languages, visual languages, embeddable languages, and xml-based languages. Memory 1404 may also be used for storing temporary variable or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 1402.

A computer program as discussed herein does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, subprograms, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output.

Computer system 1400 further includes a data storage device 1406 such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, coupled to bus 1416 for storing information and instructions. Computer system 1400 may be coupled via input/output module 1408 to various devices. The input/output module 1408 can be any input/output module. Example input/output modules 1408 include data ports such as USB ports. In addition, input/output module 1408 may be provided in communication with processor 1402, so as to enable near area communication of computer system 1400 with other devices. The input/output module 1408 may provide, for example, for wired communication in some implementations, or for wireless communication in other implementations, and multiple interfaces may also be used. The input/output module 1408 is configured to connect to a communications module 1410. Example communications modules 1410 include networking interface cards, such as Ethernet cards and modems.

The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. The communication network (e.g., network 1002) can include, for example, any one or more of a PAN, a LAN, a CAN, a MAN, a WAN, a BBN, the Internet, and the like. Further, the communication network can include, but is not limited to, for example, any one or more of the following network topologies, including a bus network, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network, a star-bus network, tree or hierarchical network, or the like.

For example, in certain aspects, communications module 1410 can provide a two-way data communication coupling to a network link that is connected to a local network. Wireless links and wireless communication may also be implemented. Wireless communication may be provided under various modes or protocols, such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), Short Message Service (SMS), Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS), or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messaging, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), Time division multiple access (TDMA), Personal Digital Cellular (PDC), Wideband CDMA, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), or LTE (Long-Term Evolution), among others. Such communication may occur, for example, through a radio-frequency transceiver. In addition, short-range communication may occur, such as using a BLUETOOTH, WI-FI, or other such transceiver.

In any such implementation, communications module 1410 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information. The network link typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link of the communications module 1410 may provide a connection through local network to a host computer or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP in turn provides data communication services through the world-wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the Internet. The local network and Internet both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on the network link and through communications module 1410, which carry the digital data to and from computer system 1400, are example forms of transmission media.

Computer system 1400 can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), the network link and communications module 1410. In the Internet example, a server might transmit a requested code for an application program through Internet, the ISP, the local network and communications module 1410. The received code may be executed by processor 1402 as it is received, and/or stored in data storage 1406 for later execution.

In certain aspects, the input/output module 1408 is configured to connect to a plurality of devices, such as an input device 1412 and/or an output device 1414. Example input devices 1412 include a stylus, a finger, a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which a user can provide input to the computer system 1400. Other kinds of input devices 1412 can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well, such as a tactile input device, visual input device, audio input device, or brain-computer interface device. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, tactile, or brain wave input. Example output devices 1414 include display devices, such as a LED (light emitting diode), CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) screen, a TFT LCD (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, for displaying information to the user. The output device 1414 may comprise appropriate circuitry for driving the output device 1414 to present graphical and other information to a user.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the user systems and the server shown in FIG. 10 can be implemented using a computer system 1400 in response to processor 1402 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in memory 1404. Such instructions may be read into memory 1404 from another machine-readable medium, such as data storage device 1406. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 1404 causes processor 1402 to perform the process steps described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the sequences of instructions contained in memory 1404. In alternative aspects, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement various aspects of the present disclosure. Thus, aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

Various aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a computing system that includes a back end component, e.g., a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the subject matter described in this specification, or any combination of one or more such back end, middleware, or front end components.

Computing system 1400 can include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other. Computer system 1400 can be, for example, and without limitation, a desktop computer, laptop computer, or tablet computer. Computer system 1400 can also be embedded in another device, for example, and without limitation, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile audio player, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, a video game console, and/or a television set top box.

The term “machine-readable storage medium” or “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium or media that participates in providing instructions or data to processor 1402 for execution. The term “storage medium” as used herein refers to any non-transitory media that store data and/or instructions that cause a machine to operate in a specific fashion. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical disks, magnetic disks, or flash memory, such as data storage device 1406. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as memory 1404. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 1416. Common forms of machine-readable media include, for example, floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The machine-readable storage medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter affecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or more of them.

As used in this specification of this application, the terms “computer-readable storage medium” and “computer-readable media” are entirely restricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in a form that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude any wireless signals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals. Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction with transmission media. Transmission media participates in transferring information between storage media. For example, transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus 1416. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications. Furthermore, as used in this specification of this application, the terms “computer”, “server”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer to electronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people or groups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the terms display or displaying means displaying on an electronic device.

To illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, items such as the various illustrative blocks, modules, components, methods, operations, instructions, and algorithms have been described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.

To the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Phrases such as an aspect, the aspect, another aspect, some aspects, one or more aspects, an implementation, the implementation, another implementation, some implementations, one or more implementations, an embodiment, the embodiment, another embodiment, some embodiments, one or more embodiments, a configuration, the configuration, another configuration, some configurations, one or more configurations, the subject technology, the disclosure, the present disclosure, other variations thereof and alike are for convenience and do not imply that a disclosure relating to such phrase(s) is essential to the subject technology or that such disclosure applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A disclosure relating to such phrase(s) may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect or some aspects may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa, and this applies similarly to other foregoing phrases.

A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” The term “some” refers to one or more. Underlined and/or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the subject technology, and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the subject technology. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various configurations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.”

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of particular implementations of the subject matter. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

The subject matter of this specification has been described in terms of particular aspects, but other aspects can be implemented and are within the scope of the following claims. For example, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. The actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the aspects described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all aspects, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

The title, background, brief description of the drawings, abstract, and drawings are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the detailed description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirements of the applicable patent law, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: storing, in a blockchain system, at least one generic finite blockchain comprising representative blocks, each corresponding to at least one step in a multi-step process; dynamically generating at least one finite blockchain instance based on said at least one generic finite blockchain; receiving, by a processor, change evidence data pertaining to at least one step in said multi-step process; and performing an update operation comprising updating the at least one finite blockchain instance based on said change evidence data.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the blockchain system is accessible to a plurality of computing nodes participating in said system.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein dynamically generating the at least one finite blockchain instance comprises creating a block within said finite blockchain instance based on a tick provided by a counter associated with said blockchain instance.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each generic finite blockchain together with each associated finite blockchain instance defines a family of blockchains.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein dynamically generating the at least one finite blockchain comprises performing an alignment operation to align each block within a finite blockchain instance with a corresponding block in the generic finite blockchain associated with said finite blockchain instance.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein dynamically generating the at least one finite blockchain further comprises creating an alignment block to map aligned blocks.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each finite blockchain whether occurring as a generic or an instance comprises a means block.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each finite blockchain whether occurring as a generic or an instance comprises an ends block.
 9. A system, comprising: a memory; a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, where in the processors configured to perform: storing, in a blockchain system, at least one generic finite blockchain comprising representative blocks, each corresponding to at least one step in a multi-step process; dynamically generating at least one finite blockchain instance based on said at least one generic finite blockchain; receiving, by a processor, change evidence data pertaining to at least one step in said multi-step process; and performing an update operation comprising updating the at least one finite blockchain instance based on said change evidence data.
 10. The system of claim 9, which is accessible to a plurality of computing nodes participating in said system.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein dynamically generating the at least one finite blockchain instance comprises creating a block within said finite blockchain instance based on a tick provided by a counter associated with said blockchain instance.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein each generic finite blockchain together with each finite blockchain instance defines a family of blockchains.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein dynamically generating the at least one finite blockchain comprises performing an alignment operation to align each block within a finite blockchain instance with a corresponding block in the generic finite blockchain associated with said finite blockchain instance.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein dynamically generating the at least one finite blockchain further comprises creating an alignment block to map aligned blocks.
 15. The system method of claim 9, wherein each finite blockchain whether occurring as a generic or an instance comprises a means block.
 16. The system method of claim 9, wherein each finite blockchain whether occurring as a generic or an instance comprises an ends block.
 17. A non-transitory computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code configured to perform: storing, in a blockchain system, at least one generic finite blockchain comprising representative blocks, each corresponding to at least one step in a multi-step process; dynamically generating at least one finite blockchain instance based on said at least one generic finite blockchain; receiving, by a processor, change evidence data pertaining to at least one step in said multi-step process; and performing an update operation comprising updating the at least one finite blockchain instance based on said change evidence data.
 18. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 17, wherein dynamically generating the at least one finite blockchain instance comprises creating a block within said finite blockchain instance based on a tick provided by a counter associated with said blockchain instance.
 19. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 18, wherein dynamically generating the at least one finite blockchain comprises performing an alignment operation to align each block within a finite blockchain instance with a corresponding block in the generic finite blockchain associated with said finite blockchain instance.
 20. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 18, wherein dynamically generating the at least one finite blockchain further comprises creating an alignment block to map aligned blocks. 